When thinking about reducing your carbon footprint, the first things that come to mind usually relate to your home life. But you also spend a significant amount of time in your office or at your job site, so it makes sense to try and reduce your environmental impact there as well. Here’s how to create an eco-friendly office by doing these simple 4 steps.
Exfoliating is one of those beauty buzzwords that promise soft skin, smooth complexion and unparalleled beauty. And that’s great, but not when it comes at the cost of the environment. A lot of beauty products contain plastic microbeads, that are quickly becoming a threat for our water systems. The problem is that they are smaller than a millimeter in diameter, which means that they can’t be strained at waste water treatment plants.
Organic food is all the rage and it just sounds like a good idea. However, it can be more expensive and difficult to get, so many people question if it’s worth it. Spoilers: it totally is. Here are the ten best reasons to go organic.
1. They are more nutritious – Several independent studies have concluded that organic food is richer in nutrients than more traditional options. Organic produce has a higher content of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, chromium and magnesium.
2. They are better for children – Growing children need a healthy diet to help their brains and body develop correctly. This is why they need all the nutrients they can get. Besides, their growing bodies are more susceptible to toxins and other contaminants that come from pesticides and GMO crops.
3. They just taste better – Organic food is more flavorful than regular produce and the most important thing for a cook is to choose the right ingredients. All your dishes will taste better and you might even get your kids to eat broccoli without a fight.
4. It supports local businesses and families – Buying organic food from your local producers will help them create a livelihood and support their families. Your hard-earned money will go to someone working in their own farm and not to some big company’s pockets.
5. It reduces water pollution – Pesticides are one of the primary contaminants that pollute drinking water sources. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, pesticides in produce contaminate the water source for half the American population. By buying organic, you reduce demand for pesticide-ridden food and, by extension, of pesticides.
6. It’s better for the earth – Locally grown organic food is the sustainable way to produce our food. Modern mass-agricultural practices are destructive on the soil and damage the environment in many parts of the world. Local farmers don’t need to raze the Amazon forest to get enough room to plant their produce.
7. It’s antibiotic and hormone-free – Organic meat does not contain the insane amounts of synthetic hormones, drugs and antibiotics that are common in traditionally produced meat. As a bonus, the animals are usually treated better and live in humane conditions.
8. It reduces your cancer risk – According to the US EPA, 90% of fungicides, 60% of herbicides and 30% of insecticides are carcinogenic. This means that most traditionally sourced food is potentially cancer-inducing or might increase the chance of developing abnormal cell growth.
9. It’s safer for farm workers – Research has shown that people regularly exposed to pesticides have a 70% higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease. Local farmers that choose not to use pesticides do not carry this risk and are able to work in their farm without exposing themselves to unsafe conditions.
10. It protects local wildlife – Pesticides are designed to kill organisms. And even if they are “relatively safe” for animals and people, the truth is that contamination through pesticides is harming wildlife and destroying habitats around the world.
We all know that traditional pesticides are incredibly harmful for the environment and best avoided by everyone. However, when your beautiful garden is being ravaged by insects and other pests, those horrible chemicals almost start to look appealing again. Don’t worry, here are some tips for ultra-green pest control.
Ants
Nothing worse than ants chewing away at your precious plants. Find some cedar oil and spray it around the problem area, as it is a non-toxic insect repellent that can get rid of ants as well as mosquitoes, fleas and even cockroaches. Another way to get rid of ants is to use bitter cucumber peels, ground coffee or garlic cloves. Spread them around among your plants as many ants have aversion to those items. You can also plant mint in your garden and most ant species will leave the rest of your plants alone. Finally, diatomaceous earth (a soft siliceous type of soil) will repel ants and most other insects.
Slugs and snails
Slimy, slow, disgusting and incredibly destructive, snails and slugs can completely ruin your plants in one night. Place a couple of shallow dishes with beer among the plants that you want to protect. Slugs really love beer so they will go straight to the plate, fall down and drown. Crushed eggshells sprinkled among the plants are another great way to dissuade these slimy pests. Snails and slugs try not to cross a hard sharp barrier that will damage their soft bodies.
Other bugs
One of the best (and greenest) ways to get rid of bugs is to introduce their natural predators, as long as you do your research. Find out the best beneficial insects that will eat the pests without damaging your plants and buy them on eBay. You can also attract birds to your garden as they will not only fill your house with music, but they will also eat bugs. Get a bird bath and keep it filled with fresh water, hang bird feeders and houses, try to keep a quiet environment and don’t disturb the birds. They will do the dirty work for you.
Mammals and other animals
There are solar powered pest control products that collect energy from the sunlight and shake periodically. These products work by producing vibrations that disturb small animals and scare them away. If you want to avoid racoons and skunks, make sure your garbage cans are tightly closed with a well-fitting lid. If you are really having a problem with animals, you can try no-kill traps to deal with them in a humane way. Do your research and safely release the animals back into the wild, far away from your garden. If you are using glue traps for snakes, vegetable oil is a safe way to loosen the glue without hurting the animal.
We live in the wonderful world of the future, where the Internet erases distances and we all keep a tiny computer in our pockets. Technology gets a bad rep when it comes to caring for the environment, and it’s true that your iPhone or Android phone were probably not too green to manufacture. However, you can use them as a tool to help you reduce your own carbon footprint, by downloading these apps.
GoodGuide – This app is available for both Android and iOS, and it brings the GoodGuide.com database to your phone. It will help you find environmentally-friendly, ethical and safe products while you are out and about. Next time you are grocery shopping or running errands, simply select the issues you care about the most, such as sustainability, animal welfare or organic certifications. The app will show you the best products for each category and also let you check the scores by brand name.
GiveO2 – Another great app for both iOS and Android, this one will track the carbon footprint of your daily commute. It doesn’t matter if you go by car, ride your bike, take public transportation or use a combination of methods, this app will help you monitor your CO2 emissions with the help of your phone’s GPS. The best part about this app is that it will reward you with discounts at several retailers for shrinking your carbon footprint and provide you with a list of sustainable projects around the world to donate to, in order to offset your own emissions.
Carma Carpooling – While tracking your commute carbon footprint, it’s a good idea to try to minimize it. And a great way to do this is by carpooling. This app is available for both Android and iOS and it’s the most used carpooling app in the US and 8 different countries around the world, so if this app can’t find you a carpooling partner, no app can. Carma Carpooling will help you verify carpoolers in your area to reduce CO2 emission and urban gridlock.
Waze – Speaking of gridlock, don’t you hate to be stuck in traffic? So does the planet. It actually raises CO2 emissions and pollutes the air. Besides, it can diminish productivity and put you in a bad mood. Waze is a community-based app that lets iPhone and Android users share road and traffic information in real time. This means that you will be able to avoid gridlock, you will save time, gas and money. And you will reduce your carbon footprint in the process.
Seafood Watch – Every conscious consumer knows that seafood can be very problematic for our oceans when it’s not sourced ethically. Overfishing is a real problem and it can be hard to find sustainable seafood brands, distributors or restaurants. Seafood Watch is an iOS and Android app that will help you find ocean-friendly seafood so you can enjoy a tasty meal in a more ethical way.
Camping is the perfect green vacation. It will make you feel in contact with nature, enjoying the wonderful world we live in. Besides, it has a low impact on the environment (just remember to “leave no trace”) and it saves you money. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned camper or if you are thinking of experiencing the great outdoors for the first time, these are some genius hacks to make your next camping trip easier.
Keep mosquitoes away naturally – Mosquitoes can ruin anyone’s night. They are annoying and relentless, but repellent sprays are harmful for the environment and loaded with awful chemicals. To truly keep the little pests away from your campsite, throw some sage into the fire, you will be surprised with the results.
Turn egg cartons into fire starters – Instead of throwing away your paper egg cartons, save them for your next camping trip. Fill an egg carton with light charcoal and close it. Whenever you want to get your campfire going, just lit it up. You will get a blazing fire in no time that will keep you warm and help you cook food without wasting gas or fuel like a stove. Just make sure to follow your campsite’s regulations when it comes to campfires.
Cook with natural herbs – If you are going to use your campfire to cook meats and veggies, avoid bottled marinades that are full of preservatives, take up space in your bag and contribute to the garbage problem. Instead, throw rosemary or other aromatic herbs right into the fire while you are cooking. You will get a nice smokey flavor in the most natural way, and your meals will taste amazing.
Filter water with nothing but cloth – Clean water is absolutely necessary, I don’t need to tell you that. It is recommended that you take plenty of water with you, but if you find yourself without bottled water and no other means to purify dirty water, this method can help you out. Put the dirty water into a container and stick the end of a piece of cloth in it. Put the other end of the cloth in the other container and wait for a bit. The water will filter itself through the cloth and you’ll end up with a container of clean water and another of dry sediment.
Bring a Frisbee – Never underestimate the power of the Frisbee. They are extremely fun, so you can enjoy your time outdoors by doing some exercise with your family and friends, sure, but they have some hidden uses as well. In a pinch, your Frisbee can be a cutting board, a plate, a water container and even a shovel. No camping bag is complete without a Frisbee.
What is “upcycling”? It’s when you use discarded materials to create something new. Something useful, beautiful and with much more value than it originally had. For example, instead of throwing out or recycling cardboard boxes, your can upcycle them to create these great items.
Desktop organizer – If you are normally dealing with a lot of clutter in your desk and don’t know what to do about it, then this project is for you if you have a lot of leftover cardboard from the move, use them to cut around 20 square sheets (or any shape, as long as they are identical). Leave one to serve as a base and then cut slots in different sizes on the rest, to hold your items. The idea is to have around 5-10 sheets with the same slots (depending on the depth you need) and then simply stack them all and clue them together. You can later paint the whole ensemble or add details to make it match the rest of your desk. Now you have a single place to keep your little notepads, your keys, spare change and your cellphone.
Bookcase – This process is similar to the one used for the desktop organizer. You simply pick a shape that works for what you have in mind and cut several sheets of cardboard with that same shape. Carve out some slots of the desired size and make sure your books and notepads will fit. Now hang it on the wall and enjoy your new stylish and environmentally friendly bookcase.
Modern wall art – This is a fun project that anyone can manage, no matter their artistic ability. Get all your cardboard scarps and cut them into small squares and rectangles of different sizes. Now place them together in a geometric composition. Don’t be afraid to make them overlap to get an interesting sense of depth. Once you are satisfied with the look of your piece, carefully glue them all together and finish with a coat or two of metallic paint. Glue the whole set to a support to be able to hang it from the wall and decorate your favorite room with it.
Geometric lamp – Cut out a cardboard frame for these lanterns, glue it together and coat it with your favorite color of spray paint. Then, use a colored tissue paper to cover the panels of the lamp, gluing it on the inside of the frame. Use cardboard for the top panel of the lamp, painted in the same color as the rest of the frame. Cut out a small slot to hang a string of twine. Tape the twine to the back of a battery-operated LED light and hang it on the inside of your lamp. Now you can enjoy a beautiful light fixture that people won’t believe you made yourself.
We are all trying to do our part to take care of the only earth we have, but some lifestyle changes are easier than others. Here are some easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint that won’t feel like you are punishing yourself.
Driving
Driving is one of the biggest contributors to CO2 emissions, but it’s not always feasible to ditch your car. When possible, you should definitely try to walk or bike more, which will not only avoid carbon emissions, but will also make you feel healthier. If you live in a big city, stop being afraid of public transportation, as it will get you to your destination carbon-free, and it will also avoid you the daunting task of finding a parking spot downtown.
However, if you absolutely must drive your car, consider carpooling. There are websites and services that will connect you to carpoolers in your route. Your driving style can affect your CO2 emissions too: speeding wastes gas and money, reduces mileage in your car and increases your carbon footprint. Avoid traffic when possible and keep your tires properly inflated.
Food
This is something most people don’t think about, but the food you consume absolutely impacts your carbon footprint. Cut down of beef and dairy, as it takes a lot of resources to raise cows for consumption. When possible, go to your local farmer’s market and eat locally produced food. Turns out that transport and storing of food is a big contributor to global CO2 emissions.
Home
Reduce the energy your consume at home to reduce your whole family’s carbon footprint. Make sure your home is properly insulated and sealed. This will greatly reduce the energy you use to keep it warm in winter and cool in summer and it will save you money on the electricity bill as well. Reduce and recycle as much as you can and teach your kids (if you have them) the importance of separating organic, glass and plastic when disposing the garbage. Use water-efficient shower heads, faucet heads, washing machines and toilets, and wash your car less often. If you have a garden, get plants that are appropriate for the climate in your area to avoid watering them too often. It is also a great idea to install a drip irrigation system so your plants get exactly as much water as they need.
Advocate for alternative energy whenever you can. If you have the chance, install solar panels to the roof of your home. This can be expensive upfront, but many manufacturers offer financing options that will let you spread out the payments. And you will earn back that money by paying a lot less in your electricity bill. Some states even allow you to sell electricity generated by your panels back to the grid, so you will be helping the planet and your wallet.
Love them or hate them, the world is anything but indifferent to vegans. Admiration, contempt, snide comments, jokes, moral outrage and, above all, misinformation start flaring up every time the world “vegan” is mentioned. If you are thinking about cutting off all meat products off your diet, here are some things you should know.
1. It’s not for everyone
There’s no shame in trying it out for a while and deciding it’s not for you. There’s no shame in going back months or years later and try it out again. Becoming a vegan is a pretty big lifestyle change, especially in a society that is still so “meat-centric”. And it doesn’t matter how you choose to eat, your choice is not the “right” one for everybody else. Vegan or not, you should still respect other people’s choices (and make sure they respect yours).
2. There are exactly three jokes about vegans, and you will hear them all the time
Everybody is going to think they are being super clever when they tell you that your food is what their food eats. And they are going to expect you to laugh when you hear the “how to find a vegan in a dinner party, don’t worry, they’ll tell you” joke for the millionth time. And every time food of any kind is mentioned, you will hear some variation of “steak is better than your food”. So get used to it. The jokes can get annoying, but most people are genuinely trying to get a laugh and not judge you. Laugh it off, change the subject and expect to do it again at the next dinner party.
3. You will feel an odd sense of responsibility
Whether you like it or not, as a vegan you will be sort of an ambassador for all veganhood. And you will probably not realize it at first but as time goes on you will start to notice that your actions affect how the people around you perceive not only you, but all vegans. And as much as you try to avoid it, you will find yourself trying to act a certain way to “prove” that you are not the stereotypical vegan, or that not all vegans are the same. You will probably hold yourself to a higher standard than before, which is fine. As long as it doesn’t get out of hand, of course. Remind yourself that you are still human, you are still your own person and you are allowed to be less than perfect all the time.
4. You will feel lonely sometimes
When you are trying to find one single dish on that menu that does not contain meat or cheese, when you are munching on the side salad at that dinner party, when you are debating whether to accept an invitation to eat out because you don’t want to make a scene… Sometimes you will feel very alone in the way you eat. And in those moments you will probably feel more tempted to cheat than any other time. But you are not alone. The Internet is a wonderful place and it will help you connect with other vegans to keep you strong in those moments.
We all want to look our best, but navigating the huge selections of beauty products out there can be a minefield. There are a lot of products out there that are not sourced ethically or are animal-tested or their factories pollute nearby water bodies. Luckily, there are a few great products out there that let you care for the environment without sacrificing your beauty routine.
Alba Botanica
If you are on the market for a moisturizer that will leave your skin hydrated and soft with minimal environmental impact, Alba Botanica might have what you are looking for. Their Good & Healthy line includes a lot of different formulas so you are sure to find the perfect fit for your skin. The best part? All of their products are 100% vegetarian and cruelty free, and include all the nutrients your skin needs to be healthy.
Burt’s Bees
Every beauty routine should start with a good cleanser and Burt’s Bees daily formula is a great alternative. It is made from natural, organic ingredients, like sugar cane that provides a gentle exfoliation. It also includes daisy extract, that will brighten your skin and even out your skin tone while removing oils, dirt and make up.
Sparkle Toothy Tabs
An alternative to toothpaste made with all natural ingredients, these tooth cleansing tabs by Lush are an ecologist’s dream. They are completely vegan, cruelty free, made from organic and natural ingredients and come in a recycled box! The tabs work just as well as toothpaste, you just chew them up and start brushing. They are perfect for camping trips, overnight bags, carry-on luggage, etc.
Lavanilla
The Healthy Mini Deodorant by Lavanilla will keep you free of nasty odor in a completely natural way. It’s free of parabens, aluminum and other harsh chemicals that have been proven to be harmful for the environment and yourself. Instead, they take advantage of the unique properties of Tea Tree Oil to kill your smelly bacteria and they include natural fragrances like vanilla, grapefruit or lavender.
Physician’s Formula
We all want long, lush, environmentally conscious eyelashes. Organic Wear mascara is completely natural, organic and completely recyclable. It is also gluten-free, which means everybody can use it, despite gluten allergies. The best part is that its curved brush and unique formula will give you long, healthy and strong lashes.
Tarte
Get bright, colorful lips with Tarte Power Plumper. This unique line of lip crayons is 100% vegan and was not tested on animals. They stay on for a long time, they come in a wide range of vibrant colors and they have a delicious minty scent.